GPs want better health care for elderly

The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) wants the next federal budget to fund improved health care for older Australians.

It is calling for the government to spend $141.2 million over three or four years in five key areas of aged care.

These include finding local solutions to address gaps in health care in communities, establishing a new evidence-based program to support older people with complex conditions and chronic care needs, and extra funding to enhance timely diagnosis and effective management of dementia care.

The AGPN says the current health system is too fragmented and difficult for many old people to access.

"It's time to move on from the fragmented, disconnected system that confronts ageing Australians and instead move towards a coordinated, locally driven and sustainable system," network chair Emil Djakic said.

A better system would be more about preventing disease, immobility and complications and less about visits to the local hospital, he said.

In its budget submission, the AGPN welcomed the funding already announced for the Medicare Local network.

It will become the national body representing Medicare Locals, starting from early 2012.

One of its funding requests was for $22.8 million to be spent over four years to use the Medical Local network to roll out nationally programs that support greater physical activity among older people.

It gave the example of the Heart Foundation's Heartmoves initiative, which has helped prevent the onset of disease and exacerbation of existing conditions.

The submission says such initiatives would build on the existing workforce to deliver lifestyle modification programs and help the COAG Type 2 diabetes prevention program.

The other thing the AGPN wants to see in the May budget is funding to establish a best-practice palliative care approach for all Australians.